North Rip

Posted on 29 November 2010
Written by Chris Landry

The North Rip 21 is back, now built by Pearson Composites of Warren, R.I. The deep-vee center console was reintroduced this fall at the Newport International Boat Show and will be on display in February at the Miami boat show, says Daryl Wilbur, director of North Rip Sportfishing Boats, a division of Pearson.

With its Carolina bow flare, tumblehome aft and raked transom, the North Rip 21 is a handsome fishing boat. Its deep-vee hull has 20 degrees of transom deadrise. "The 21 delivers a soft ride due to the aggressive entry and the deadrise that carries aft," says Wilbur, 41, who grew up in Bristol, R.I. "Our customers have been calling it a 'pocket battlewagon.' I designed it to fish the ocean rips of Block Island, Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands."

Wilbur built the 21-footer from 2001 to 2007, and Pearson acquired North Rip in 2009. Pearson Composites uses the SCRIMP resin infusion method to build the boat, which is cored with Core-Cell structural PVC foam.

A simple deck layout was a priority for Wilbur. "There are a lot of what I call 'clutter compartments' on today's center consoles," he says. "My philosophy is to build clean, open and ergonomically friendly platforms, but with very adequate storage and fishability." That storage includes three fishbox/storage lockers under the foredeck.

The boat also comes standard with a leaning post with three rocket-launcher rod holders and hydraulic steering. A T-top, trim tabs and raw-water washdown are options.

With a single 200-hp Evinrude E-TEC, the boat reaches a top speed of about 46 mph and gets around 3.1 mpg at 37 mph. The boat is also available with a single 150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke. With either engine, the base price is $62,000.

Pearson also plans to build three other models - 29-, 36- and 42-footers. The 29 is a center console, and the 36 and 42 will be pod-driven open-bridge express fishing boats with tower and cabin.